Chapter 1 #2
“Because you made an impression on me.” Her tone is serious, but her expression is playful. Easygoing.
I arch an eyebrow. “I didn’t even get your name.”
“I know. Hence, the impression,” she explains, holding out her hand. “Callie James. I work for Regal Sports Agency.”
I suck in a breath. Regal Sports is big time.
“You’ve heard of us,” she notes.
“Who hasn’t?”
Callie laughs, the sound light. Musical. “Do you want to go pro, Gage?”
I work a swallow. “More than anything.”
Callie’s laughter fades and she eyes me seriously. It’s as if she can see through all the bravado and bullshit, straight down to my soul. It’s as if she hears the sincerity in my voice and wants to help me achieve my dream.
“Then I’ll reach out. I hope we can work together.” She lifts her chin toward two other women as they approach us. “I’ll talk to you soon, Gage.”
“I look forward to that, Callie,” I reply, meaning it. Meaning more than my words convey.
I watch her walk away and I swear to God, I fall for her in that instant. Not that she knows it. Not that anyone does.
Callie reaches out the following week and three weeks later, I sign with her and Regal Sports. That agreement effectively ends my chance to share more with her than an agent-client relationship.
Because Callie doesn’t mix business with pleasure. Not that she’s ever said as much but I’ve never seen or heard of her dating one of her athletes. I’ve been her client for sixteen years. She’s all about the job and while I admire the hell out of that—out of her—I wish she’d give me a shot.
A torrent of ice-cold water hits my stomach, ripping me from my traipse down memory lane, and I jump up. My eyes fly open to see five of my little nieces and nephews running down to the sea, pails of water flinging into the sand behind them.
“You little shits!” I holler after them, springing into action.
My knee twinges from the sudden movement but I block it out as I chase the kids into the ocean.
They laugh hysterically, shooting wild eyes over their shoulders at me. I scoop up my little niece, Ariella, and toss her into a rolling wave.
“Me next!” Matteo begs, raising his arms to be picked up.
I swing him up into my arms and throw him next. Then, all the kids are scrambling for my attention. I spend the next hour in the ocean with my family, playing with the little kids, doling out advice to the big kids, and avoiding my brother’s and sisters’ questioning eyes.
Are you retiring?
Will you be around more?
Will you settle down like us and have…all of this?
A gnawing type of emptiness eats at my breastplate, but I rub it away. I focus on the moment. I grin at my mom and wave to my pop, watching all of us from their sun chairs parked at the edge of the waterline.
The afternoon passes quickly, the way it always does when I’m with my loved ones, and I don’t check my phone once. In fact, I don’t turn it on for the next two days either. Right now, being off the grid feels good. Necessary.
“Jake, the red wine, not the white,” Svetlana says, pointing at her son.
“The one from the Rioja region,” my brother Joe, Svetlana’s husband, adds.
“Abuela’s favorite,” Svetlana reminds him.
“Such a popular bottle and yet, no one recalls the name of it,” Jake grumbles as he returns to the wine cellar for the correct bottle.
“When did he get this attitude?” my aunt Maria asks.
Svetlana laughs. “The day he turned thirteen.”
Dad snickers. “That was five years ago.”
“And we’re still suffering,” Svetlana agrees, flashing a good-natured smile.
“The wine is flowing like water,” my sixteen-year-old niece Carla comments, judgement in her eyes.
“Carina, we need to get Tio Gage liquored up, so he’ll tell us if he’s going to announce retirement or not.”
I groan, closing my eyes and tossing my head back.
Carla laughs, gripping my shoulders tightly. She places a quick kiss to my cheek. “Don’t worry, Tio. You’ll still be my favorite whether you play football or not.”
“Hey!” Joe hollers. “What about me?”
“Your house is too loud,” Carla shoots back. “Plus, Jake’s friends eat all the good snacks.”
“That’s true,” Svetlana agrees.
The doorbell sounds and I shuffle my chair back to stand.
“Saved by the bell,” Mom breathes out.
I wink at her as I move toward the front door.
When I pull it open, I stumble back half a step. Blink. Surprise explodes in my chest. “Callie.”
My agent stands on the doorstep. Her black hair curls down her back and over her shoulders.
She usually wears it pulled back in a sleek bun but God, do I love seeing it wild and free.
It reminds me of that first day, by the hotel pool.
Natural, with waves abounding. She quirks an eyebrow and her eyes flash.
I bite back my grin, correctly reading the frustration in her gaze.
“You turned off your phone, Gutierrez?”
I snort, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning a shoulder against the doorjamb. “Came all this way to point that out, Cal?”
Callie’s eyes narrow but then, her gaze travels over my shoulder and a warm smile moves over her mouth.
“Callie, carina!” Mom’s voice is laced with joy. “Gage didn’t tell me you were coming. Come in, come in!”
Inwardly, I groan. I know my family and they are going to hog Callie’s attention and gobble her up before I have a chance to understand her motive for coming here.
Is it for the endorsement deal?
Of course it’s for the endorsement deal.
“Hola, Mrs. Gutierrez. Happy Anniversary,” Callie says.
Mom pulls Callie into a hug, forcing her over the threshold and into the massive home my parents built years ago as our family started growing. Fortunately, I snagged an apartment nearby.
As much as I love being with my family… Carla was right. It’s usually too damn loud and the good snacks never make it to the evening.
“Thank you, love,” Mom says sincerely, linking her arm with Callie’s and steering her toward the kitchen. “Come, you must be thirsty. We just opened several bottles of wine.”
“Oh, I—” Callie’s voice is drowned out as she enters the kitchen and a symphony of greetings rings out.
Shaking my head, I close the front door.
“Man up,” Jake says, watching me from the staircase.
“What?” I sputter, chuckling.
“It’s obvious you’re into her,” Carla points out.
I raise my eyebrows, another bloom of surprise filling my chest. “I—”
“Come on, Tio. We can tell,” Carla continues.
Jake nods in agreement. “Now she’s here. Man up and make your move, Tio.”
“It’s now or never,” Carla adds.
I narrow my eyes and stare at the two little troublemakers.
But this time… I think they may be right.